Basket for bicycles

ABSTRACT

A basket for bicycles having a coupling device to detachably suspend it on a coupling element fitted on handlebars. The basket has a simple design and is easy to handle because of rigidly integrating a coupling plate in the sidewall of the basket that faces the coupling element. In the coupling plate, suspension elements adapted to the coupling element are formed by at least one correspondingly shaped window in a plane of the coupling plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a bicycle basket with a coupling device forthe releasable suspension in at least one coupling element attached inan area of handlebars of the bicycle.

2. Description of Prior Art

A bicycle basket with a coupling device is recited in German PatentApplication No. 195 34 204. A plate-like coupling element is applied toan exterior of a lateral wall of this known bicycle basket, which isconnected with a plate-like counter element arranged on an interior ofthe lateral wall. The coupling element has suspension elements, by meansof which it is releasably suspended in corresponding receivers of acoupling piece attached to the handlebars. The plate-like couplingelement projects past the exterior surface of the lateral wall at leastfar enough so that in the coupled state the receivers grip thesuspension elements from behind.

A carrying bag is known from German Patent Reference DE 39 27 086 A1,which can be attached by a connecting element to a coupling piece alsoprovided on the handlebars. The connecting element has holding elementsprojecting outward into the coupling piece, which can pose obstaclesafter the carrying bag is removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is based on one object of providing a bicycle basket ofthe type mentioned at the outset, which has simply designed couplingelements and poses no obstacles when removed from the bicycle.

This object is attained by means of the characteristics recited in theclaims. One or several coupling plates are fixedly integrated in alateral wall of a bicycle basket facing at least one coupling element,in which suspension elements matched to the coupling element are formedon the level of the coupling plate by at least one appropriately shapedwindow.

Thus the bicycle basket can be attached to the coupling piece withoutany parts which must be additionally attached. The window with thecoupling elements can be simply produced, for example with anappropriate stamped-out portion of the coupling plate or by shaping.Several coupling plates with respective windows can be arranged,corresponding to several receivers of one or several coupling elements,in the facing lateral wall of the bicycle basket, so that a solidsupport is achieved. Since each coupling plate is integrated into thelateral wall and essentially does not project past an outermost level ofthe lateral wall, in its usual, slightly conically downward taperingshape the bicycle basket can be easily stacked.

Thus, each coupling plate located on the level of the lateral wall isenclosed by lattice bars at least at their lateral edges, thearrangement of the coupling plate is clearly predetermined duringassembly, and a simple, solid attachment is achieved.

With bicycle baskets made of relatively thin, finely meshed lateralwalls in particular, such as are increasingly used, an embodiment isadvantageous wherein each coupling plate is attached to the lateralwall, and wherein the lattice elements of the lateral wall are cut outin an area of the windows.

It is advantageous for production, the durability as well as theappearance, if lattice elements, lattice bars and each coupling plateare together coated with a lacquer or plastic material. Thus,sharp-edged transitions are also avoided.

For example, the coupling plate can be simply attached by being weldedor glued in a position.

A simply designed coupling plate can be, for example, a rectangularwindow or one in the shape of an elongated hole, with the upper side asthe suspension element, wherein the rectangular shape or the elongatedholes is essentially matched to the width of the receivers, in order topreclude a lateral displacement to the greatest extent possible, or thewindow has a rectangular shape and the suspension elements are designedas protrusions, which are arranged in an upper corner. The furthersuspension elements are designed as protrusions, which are arranged onan appropriate vertical rectangular side, that project into a free spaceof the windows and are located on the level of the plate. In this casethe suspension elements of a window are in particular located verticallyabove each other, so that the lateral wall of the basket can be placedflat against the coupling piece and can be suspended in the receivers ofthe coupling piece with a simple downward movement. A solid coupling isachieved in this way and tilting of the basket is prevented.

Particularly suitable for thin-walled, fine-meshed wire baskets are thesteps, by which the lattice bars which frame the lateral edges of thecoupling plate are fixedly attached to the lattice elements of thelateral wall and continue as far as or beyond the lower edge of thelateral wall into the bottom area of the bicycle basket, since not onlyis the coupling plate definitely fixed in place, but a reinforcement ofthe lateral wall is also achieved.

Additional support for the bicycle basket can be achieved because in theconnected state the bicycle basket is supported on the front axle or thefront fork by supports.

The step, that the bicycle basket has a foldable carrying strap, isadvantageous for simple removal and manipulation. Manipulation is aided,together with a suspension and removal movement, which is performed in avertical direction.

Locking with a locking bolt or the like on the coupling element ispossible with a bolt receiver provided in the coupling plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in greater detail in what follows bymeans of an exemplary embodiment, making reference to the drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a bicycle basket made of wire lattice bars with anintegrated coupling plate, in a perspective view from a coupling side;and

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a section of the bicycle basketrepresented in FIG. 1 and a coupling element in a shape of a couplingpiece which is to be attached to the handlebars.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 represents a bicycle basket 1 made of wire lattice bars 1.1. Acoupling plate 3 is integrated below the upper edge in the center of thea lateral wall 1.2, with which the bicycle basket 1 is coupled tohandlebars, such as on a handlebar shackle or a handlebar protrusion,via a coupling element in the shape of a coupling piece 4. The couplingplate 3 and the coupling piece 4, as shown in FIG. 2, constitute acoupling device 2.

The coupling plate 3 is laterally framed between two essentiallyvertical lattice bars 1.1 and rests with an upper edge against theunderside of the lattice bar forming an upper edge of the bicycle basket1, so that a definite positioning of the coupling plate 3 and a simplefastening are made possible. Because of this and with its surface facingthe exterior, the coupling plate 3 essentially lies on the exteriorlevel of the lateral wall 1.2. Two windows 3.1 are formed in thecoupling plate 3, for example by being correspondingly formed or stampedout. The windows 3.1 have the basic shape of a vertically orientedrectangle, wherein suspension elements 3.2 projecting into a free spaceare formed on the facing insides of the windows 3.1, as well as furthersuspension elements 3.3, as also shown in FIG. 2. The suspensionelements 3.2 are arranged in the upper corner, while the furthersuspension elements 3.3 are positioned slightly below the center. Afurther opening between the two windows 3.1 is formed as a bolt receiver3.4, which can be engaged by a locking bolt of the coupling piece 4.

On a front end facing the lateral wall 1.2 of the bicycle basket 1, thecoupling piece 4 has receivers 4.1, which are positioned to correspondwith the suspension elements 3.2 and the further suspension elements 3.3and are matched in such a way that a solid sliding seating results,wherein the bicycle basket 1 is initially contacted with the front ofthe coupling piece 4 in such a way that the receivers 4.1 lie verticallyunderneath the suspension elements 3.2 and the further suspensionelements 3.3, and the bicycle basket 1 can be suspended in the receivers4.1 by the suspension elements 3.2 and the further suspension elements3.3 by simply pushing the bicycle basket 1 downward. The bolt receiver3.4 allows a catching engagement of a lock bolt, or an engagement of alock bolt which is operated with a key, so that not only can the basket1 be additionally secured while riding, but unauthorized removal is alsoprevented.

With a fastening section 4.2, the coupling piece 4 is fastened on thehandlebars by means of clamps 5.3, wherein plug pins 5.4 are placed intoappropriately designed chambers of the fastening section 4.2 and aredrawn tight by means of screws from the front of the coupling piece 4.To prevent tilting of the coupling piece 4, a holding strap 5, which hasteeth 5.1 and is supported by means of a support bridge 5.2 underneaththe handlebar projection, can be additionally fixed in place between theclamps 5.3 and the handlebar. In this case the exterior teeth 5.3 worktogether with matched interior teeth of the clamps 5.3, as explained ingreater detail in German Patent Application No. 195 34 204 mentioned atthe outset.

The coupling plate 3 is preferably welded on, but can also be fastenedin another way, for example glued on. After fastening on the basket 1,the latter can be lacquered or coated with plastic, together with thecoupling plate.

The coupling plate 3 is also particularly suited for fine-meshedbaskets, such as are increasingly coming into use. Here, the lateralwalls are comparatively thin-walled, so that with such baskets, latticebars 1.1 are additionally attached on both sides of the coupling plate 3on the lateral wall for reinforcement, and can be continued into thebottom area of the basket 1. With such fine-meshed bicycle baskets, thecoupling plate 3 can be fastened on the lateral wall 1.2, wherein thelateral wall 1.2 is cut out in the area of the windows 3.1 either beforeor afterwards. In this case the reinforcing lattice bars 1.1 are alsofastened on the lateral wall 1.2, so that the coupling plate 3 then alsoessentially lies in the outer level of the lateral wall 1.2.

Larger bicycle baskets 1 in particular can be additionally supported bymeans of support struts on the bicycle axle or the front fork. Thebicycle basket 1 preferably has a carrying strap for handling, so thatthe bicycle basket 1 can also be easily removed with one hand from thebicycle.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a bicycle basket with a coupling device,having at least one coupling plate (3) fixedly integrated in a lateralwall (1.2) of the bicycle basket (1), the coupling plate having at leastone window (3.1) defined within the periphery of the coupling plate, forattaching the bicycle basket (1) to the bicycle with at least onecoupling element (4), the improvement comprising: the at least onecoupling plate (3) for releasable suspension with the at least onecoupling element (4) which is constructed and arranged for attachment toa handlebar area of the bicycle, and a plurality of suspension elements(3.2, 3.3) adapted to receive the at least one coupling element (4) andformed in the at least one window (3.1) of the coupling plate (3) andwherein the at least one window (3.1) has a rectangular basic shape andone of the suspension elements (3.2) is designed as a protrusionarranged in an upper corner and the other suspension element is designedas a protrusion arranged on an appropriate vertical side of the window,each of the protrusions project into a free space of the at least onewindow (3.1) and are located coplanar with the at least one couplingplate (3).
 2. In the bicycle basket in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe coupling plate (3) located coplanar with the lateral wall (1.2) andenclosed by a plurality of lattice bars (1.1) at least on lateral edgesof the coupling plate.
 3. In the bicycle basket in accordance with claim2, wherein a plurality of lattice elements of the lateral wall (1.2) arecut out in an area of the window (3.1).
 4. In the bicycle basket inaccordance with claim 3, wherein the lattice elements, the lattice bars(1.1) and the coupling plate (3) are together coated with one of alacquer material and a plastic material.
 5. In the bicycle basket inaccordance with claim 4, wherein the coupling plate (3) is one of weldedand glued in place with respect to the lateral wall.
 6. In the bicyclebasket in accordance with claim 5, wherein the one suspension element(3.2) and the other suspension elements are designed as protrusionsarranged on the appropriate vertical rectangular side, to project into afree space of the at least one window (3.1).
 7. In the bicycle basket inaccordance with claim 6, wherein the lattice bars (1.1) framing lateraledges of the coupling plate (3) are fixedly attached to the latticeelements of the lateral wall (1.2) and continue one of as far as thelower edge of the lateral wall (1.2) and beyond the lower edge of thelateral wall into a bottom area of the bicycle basket (1).
 8. In thebicycle basket in accordance with claim 7, wherein a bolt receiver (3.4)is provided in the coupling plate (3).
 9. In the bicycle basket inaccordance with claim 1, wherein a plurality of lattice elements of thelateral wall (1.2) are cut out in an area of the window (3.1).
 10. Inthe bicycle basket in accordance with claim 1, wherein the couplingplate (3) is coated with one of a lacquer material and a plasticmaterial.
 11. In the bicycle basket in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe coupling plate (3) is one of welded and glued in place with respectto the lateral wall.
 12. In the bicycle basket in accordance with claim1, wherein the one suspension element (3.2) and the other suspensionelement are designed as protrusions arranged on the vertical rectangularside, to project into a free space of the at least one window (3.1). 13.In the bicycle basket in accordance with claim 2, wherein the latticebars (1.1) framing lateral edges of the coupling plate (3) are fixedlyattached to lattice elements of the lateral wall (1.2) and continue oneof as far as the lower edge of the lateral wall (1.2) and beyond thelower edge of the lateral wall into a bottom area of the bicycle basket(1).
 14. In the bicycle basket in accordance with claim 1, wherein abolt receiver (3.4) is provided in the coupling plate (3).